Downs, City the big movers

Jonty Mark

Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City both made major moves as the transfer window closed on Friday, bringing in serious attacking talent that should give them a boost for the rest of this season and beyond.

Pitso Mosimane’s Masandawana finally ended their long pursuit of Phakamani Mahlambi, with the Brazilians reportedly signing the 20-year old for around R13 million.

Mahlambi signed for the Egyptian giants from Bidvest Wits in September 2013, but failed to make too much of an impact. He was fined by Al Ahly after missing training at the start of last month, but has now sealed a move to Tshwane, where he has signed a five-year deal.

In the Mother City, meanwhile, Cape Town City moved on deadline day to snap up Bafana Bafana striker Tokelo Rantie.

The 27-year-old was a free agent after leaving Turkish side Genclerbirligi, where he, a little like Mahlambi in Egypt, failed to make much of an impact.

Rantie netted just three times in 26 league appearances for Genclerbirligi and last played for them in October, so he is likely to be a little rusty as he starts training at City.

This will be Rantie’s first season back in the Absa Premiership since he left Orlando Pirates in 2012. He scored seven times for the Buccaneers in the 2011/12 season before leaving for Malmo in Sweden.

In 2013, Rantie joined AFC Bournemouth, in what at the time was a record fee for the English club.

However, he scored just five times for the club in two seasons in the English Championship.

City, however, under Bafana’s leading scorer Benni McCarthy, however, could be the perfect place for Rantie to revive his career.

On a generally quiet deadline day, there were a couple of loan deals also completed, with Bongi Ntuli joining AmaZulu on loan from Sundowns, with the Brazilians also loaning Sibusiso Khumalo to Wits.